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Vikings Seat Fees Cause Debate

In a letter to the Vikings, Governor Dayton said stadium seat fees would shift the team's cost onto fans, and he strongly opposes the idea.

But the Vikings said the fees are allowed under the bill that Dayton signed.

“The letter failed to recognize that the legislation, the deal that had been negotiated for two years by state leaders including his negotiators, allowed the sale of stadium builder's licenses, should the market allow,” Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley said.

Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) is also questioning the fees.

“Most of the season ticket holders are not wealthy people...it's not like you're taxing millionaires you're taxing ordinary people to pay for the billionaires plaything,” Huntley said.

Brad Johnson is a third generation season ticket holder, and he hopes to pass them down to his daughter.

“It would be a shame if I had to get rid of them but if you can't afford them you cant afford them,” Johnson said.

He received a survey from the Vikings last week asking for his thoughts on the license fees.

"I would ask them to take a really hard look at what they are going to do to season ticket holders like myself who just would not be able to take on that type of cost,” Johnson said.

The Vikings have not said if they will pursue the fees, but many teams that have recently built new stadiums have relied on the fees.